Eisctsic switch



w. w. DRYDEN.

ELEC'TRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 19]].

Patented Nov. 4, 1919.

2 SHEET'SSHEET x.

INVENTOR' A TTOR/VEY W/TA/ESSES W. W. DRYDEN,

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED SEPT.'2I, 191 1.

1,320,677. 1 mm NOV, 4, 1919.

17 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

go W? WITNESSES: M 56 mni 55 Q m QZ/ w A TTOR/VE) TED @TATE% t WILLIAM W. DRYDEN, 0 FHIIJADELPHI&, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, lVILLiA)! W. DRYDEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Philadelphia, county of Philadclphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements .in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to switches for closing and opening an electric circuit and it has for one of its objects to provide a construction of switch in which the switch or contact members have connection with a rectilinear movable member rather than a rotary memher. I

A. v urther object is to provide a construction in'wliich a spring which efi'ects movement of the movable switch or contact members normally-is not under tension but is adapted to be placed under tension and then released to cause movement of a switch or contact actuating part to effect movement of said contact members to close or open an electric 'circuit.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction -in which, during the operation of turning the switch control key to cause the opening or breaking of the circuit. the contact or switch members are first tightened against their cooperating station- "ary contact members and are then suddenly released, thereby reducing the amount of sparking between the contact points.

treted one It is also an object of my invention not only to simplify the construction, but also to provide one which is very strong and durable and which is very efiicient as compared with such structures heretofore in use as far as I amfaware.

Other objects and advantages of'my invention will be referred to in the detailed description thereof which follows or will .be apparent from such description.

In order that my invention may be more readily understood and its practical advantages full and clearly appreciated and comprehende reference may be had to the accompanying drawmgsin which I have illusorm of a convenient embodiment of my invention. 'However, it will be understood' that changes in the details of con: struction may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of my invention.

Tn the drawings Figure l is a side elevation or an electric switch embodying my invention, with the Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Nov.

Application filed september 21. 1917'. Serial 1T0. 192.5%85.

movable switch or contact member out of contact with the stationary Contact parts;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the switch Fig. 5 is a perspective view of certain of the operative parts separated from surrounding parts in order that their construc tion and arrangement may he more readily seen; I

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the movable switch or contact actuating member surrounding the portions of the structure shown in Fig. 5 and. showing the relation of said surrounding part to the parts of said surrounding structure when in position to hold the movable switch or contact member in open position;

view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4:, andshowing the central operative parts of the structure, the surrounding parts being re moved;

bled relation in other figures of the draw- Fig. 9 is a view in perspective of the cam for causing relative movement of the tale-- scoping n'iembers shown in previous figures of the drawings; a

Fig. 10 is a view in perspective of the actuator for causing movement of the mov able contacts or switches;

Fig. 11 is a view in perspective of a barrel or container in which the parts shown in Fig. 6 are contained and by means of which rotary movement of the switch or contact actuator and the cam is efi'ected;

Fig. 12 is a view in perspective one at the movable contact members or switches;

Fig. 13 is a view in perspective of an in sulating sleeve-or covering. employed for surrounding the rods connecting the more FIT o.

Nil?

would appear when developed in a plane and illustrating their relative positions when the switch isopen' and Fig. 16 is a similar view showing the relation of theseparts when the switch is closed.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a switch casing of insulating material such as fiber, porcelain or other suitable material. In and upon tie is casing the operative parts of the structure are secured.

2 designates a rotatable barrel-like member open at one end and closed at the other, as shown in Figs. t and 1L. 3 designates a headed screw threaded bolt fixedly secured to the closed end of the said barreh Said bolt projects through a bushed opening at at in the top or closed end of the casing 1. 5 designates a finger key or button having connection with the screw threaded bolt 3 by means of which the barrel-like member 2 may be rotated to turn the switch on and ofi.

It will be'noted that the screw threaded member 3 also extends through the top 8 of a cover havin sides 9. The portion of said'cover outsice of th reduced project ing end portion 10 of the casing is provided with an inner lining or sheet of insulating material 11.

12 and 13 designate movable switch or contact members, the opposite ends of which are adapted to Contact with stationary contact members 14, 15, 16 and 17 secured to the shoulder portion of the casin 1 surrounding the reduced projecting end portion 10. 18, 19, 20 and 21 designate binding posts and screws by means of which the Wires of the circuit are connected to the switch so that the current may be passed thrcugh the said switch. The members of the respective couples of binding posts, 18 and 20, and 19 and 21, are insulated from each other by the angularly related partition-like portions and 23. The presence of these insulating dividing portions prevents short circuiting between th lines of the circuit within the switch.

2% designates screws by means of which the switch is secured to a wall or other supporting structure.

25 designates bolts which are connected respectively to the movable switch or contact members 12 and 13. These-bolts, together with covering sleeves 26 therefor, ex- ,tend through openings 27 through that portion of the top of the switch casing which surrounds the portion 10 and which constitutes the shoulder previously referred to. The said bolts are insulated from the said contact members 12 and 13 by the sleeves 2 iahd washers 27. The inner or lower ends of thr bolts 25 extend through openings formed in projections 28 extending out from the edge of an annular member 29, said projections being in oppositely disposed relation with respect to each other, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The bolts 25 ar secured to these projections by means of nuts and washers 30 connected to their lower ends. -31 designates a flat annularmember which is rotatably connected with the flat annular member 29, the latter being recessed to seat the said annular member 31, The said member 31 is held from displacement with respect to the member 29 by means of the headed screws 34.

As shown in the drawings, the annulus 31 is provided with oppositely disposed projecting portions 35 which are rigidly and fixedly secured thereto. These portions are curvilinear in transverse section as shown and are adapted to fit inside of and with their outer surfaces in contact with or in adjacent relation to the inside surface of the barrel 2. These projecting portions 35 are respectively provided at one edge with inclined cam-like portions 36, which portions, however, are not essential to the entirely satisfactory operation of a switch embodying my invention,

but such cam portions can do noharm and may, under certain circumstances to be hereinafter referred to, serve a usefulpurpose. These projecting portions 35 are also pro vided with oppositely disposed slots 37 shown in the (lrawings T he structure comprising the parts 31 and 35nray as a Whole be designated as a switch or contact actuator.

39 designates a cam member situated withm and surrounded by the said actuator.

Said member 39 provided at its opposite ends with arm surfaces 40 and 41 and is also provided with oppositely disposed screwthreadcd openings 49. with which the inner end of short screws 13 are engaged, The

said screws extend through the barrel meming rotation of the parts 35. 31 and 39. The. I

part-s and are rigidly connected together and, as stated, constitute an actuator for actuating the movable switch or contact members.

50 and 51 respectively designate couples of parallel bars, the bars of each couple being arranged in parallel relation to each other.- Bars 50 are provided with a head portion 52in the form of a flat circular disk, which is provided with oppositely disposed slots or notches 53. The bars 51 are likewise provided with a head 54 consisting of a fiat circular disk having oppositely slots or notches 55 while the bars 51 project and fit into the slots or notches 53, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings The bars 50 are provided with laterally and outwardly extending projections 58, one

corner or each of which is rounded off as indicated at 59. The bars 51 are also providcd with projections 60, one corner of each of which is rounded off as indicated at 61. These rounded off corners 59 and 61 are adapted to contact with the cam surfaces 4:1-and 10. k

The head or disk 54 is provided with a projection 65 having a squared end, as indicated at 66, which is adapted to engage a.

2.5 correspondingly shaped opening in a crossbar 67, the opposite ends of which are seated in notches 68 in oppositely disposed relation to each other in the switch casing 1. The purpose of providing this cross-bar and fastening it non-rotatably to the projection 65 and positioning its opposite ends in the notches 68 is to prevent rotation of the frame structure consisting of the bars 50, 51 and the respective disks 52 and 54 when the barrel 2, the switch or contact actuator 31-35, and the cam member 39 are rotated.

The cam member 39 is situated between the projections 58 and 60, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Normally the couples consisting of the bars and 51 with the heads thereof are in extended relation with respect to each other as shown in the drawings, being moved into that position after each operation of the key 5 to is open and close the switch by means of the coiled spring 70, said spring being situated between the four bars 50 and 51 as shown. Normally the said spring is not under tension or at least the tension is very slight.

50 Owing to the fact that the spring 70 normally is not under tension its life or length e1 service is greatly increased.

For the purpose of indicating when the switch is open or closed I have provided a 55,slidably supported plate 71 which is situated within the side 9 of the cover, said alate fitting over an opening 72 in the said cover. The words On and or are plm'Nl upon the outer side or surface of the plate 71. The inner side of the said plate is provided with inwardly extended projections 7 3 between which the movable contact member 12 is situated, so that movement elf the latter auses movement of the plate 71 to carry the words 9E and On into position in registry with the rectangular opening 72, as is clearly apparent from Fig. 1 of the drawings.

In operating the switch the finger key 5 is turned toward the right and as heretofore stated rotation of the said finger key causes rotation of the barrel 2 and rotation of the latter causes rotation of the movable contact actuator 3135 and the actuating cam member 39.

The operation of the device may erhaps be best understood by reference to ig. 15 of the drawings. From the previous description it will be remembered that the member 39 is directly connected to the barrel 2 by the screws 43 and that the said members 39 and 2 are relatively immovable. In consequence the member 39 is capable only of rotary motion. The member 39 comprising the cam portions heretofore mentioned may thus be considered as a cam actuating member. As is apparent from the drawings, particularly Fig. 15, when the cam actuating member 39 is moved to the right the cam edges 1040 will simultaneously engage the lugs 60-60 and by reason of the cotiperation between the said lugs and the said cams the disk 54 will be raised, compressing the spring 70. In this manner the necessary energy is stored up in the spring for causing the subsequent instantaneous snapping action of the switch. Directly after the lugs 60 have been moved along the cams 40 to the maximum extent they are quickly or suddenly released and engage the upper horizontal edges of the projections 35, which under the action of the spring 70, will be shifted to the position illustrated in Fig. 16. As already described, the movable switch members 12 and 13 are indirectly attached to the annulus 31 which is directly united with the projecting parts 35-35 and as a result the said switch members 12 and 13 will be shifted to close the switch. If further movement of the cam member 39' to the right he considered in connection with Fig. 16 it will be noted that the cams 41-41 will engage lugs or projections 58-58, and as the said lugs ride up 'on to the said cams 41-41 movement of the disk 52 will be caused to compress the spring 70. As the lugs or projections 58 ass from the highest portions of the cams 41 they engage beneath the parts 3535 and raise the-same uickly to open the switch, the movable parts of the switch thereby again assuming the position shown in Fig. 15 of the drawings. Further rotation of the parts by means of the finger key 5 causes a repetition of the operation as previously described in connection with Fig. 15 and so on alternately.

it will now be apparent why. when the key 5 is turned to open the circuit. the first eli'ect 1.; t0 tighten the movable switch or contact members against the stationary contact members. In Fig. 16 the parts are shown with the circuit closed. As the parts 31-35 and 39 are moved toward the rightmovement of the bars 50 and the disk 52 down-- wvardly, having reference to Fig. 16, is ef- -the said parts to the movable contact or switch members operates to press the same tightly against the stationary contact members of the switch. The tension of the spring and the resultant pressure of the movable contact members increases until the lugs or projections 58 pass beyond or escape from the cams 41. The said projections then engage the right hand ends otthe lower edges of the parts 35 (see Fig. 16) while at the same time the lugs or 1.'ojcctions are disengaged from the upper edges of said parts with the result that the expansive'action of the spring snaps the said parts upwardly- CilllSlllg, a quick or sudden opening movement of the movable contact or switch members 12 and 13.

It will be observed that the outer ends of the lugs or projections 58 and (30 extend over the inclined surfaces 36 upon the parts 35. The presence of these inclined surfaces renders it unnecessary that the high parts of the cams 40 and 41 shall terminate in exact alinement with the beginning of the top and bottom edges of the parts 35. If these inclined surfaces 36 were not present and it' the high points of the cams 40 and 41 should terminate below the upper or lower edges; of the parts it might be that the projections 58 or (30 would strike against the side edges of these-parts and thus prevent the further rotation of the rotatable parts previously described. the-rcb preventing proper operation of the switch.

I claim 1. In an electric switch, the combination of telescoping members, a 'yicldingdcvice. intermediate said members tending to hold them in separated relation with respect to each other, rotatable means for alternately moving said members in opposite directions to compress said yielding device, movable contact mcinbcrs and means actuated by the alternate movements of said telescoping members to cause movement of said movable contact members to open and close an electric circuit.

cause relative movement of the said tele-= scoping members, movable contact members and an actuator for said contact members, said actuator being actuated in opposite directions alternately by the said telescoping members.

3. In an electric'switch, the combination of telescoping members, an elastic device intermediate said members and tending to hold the same in separated relation with respect to each other, said members each'being provided with a.c0uple of lugs or projections situated in oppositely disposed relation to each other and extending outwardly therefrom, the lugs or projections upon one of the said members being situated in a plane substantialh at right angles to the plane in which the other lugs or projections are situated, a rotatable cam actuating member situated intermediate the res cctivc uples of projections and surrounding the sam tele- T" scoping members, the said cam actuating member contacting with the said projections to cause relativ movements of the Said telescoping membc. movable contact members, an actuator for the said contact members, the said projections upon the respective members of the said telescoping members being adapted to contact at oppositely disposed points of the said actuator whcn released from said cam actuating member to cause movements thereof in alternate directions to thereby cause movements of'the said movable contact members to open and close the same.

4-. In an electric swit h. the combination of telescoping members. each member comprising opposite leg; portions and said leg portions provided with laterally extending projections or lugs, a spring interposed between the raid telescoping members and tending to hold the same in separated relation with respect to each other, arotatable tubular member surrounding the said members and situated between the said projections, the said tubular member having cams upon its opposite cnds. the cams on each end being arranged in oppositelydisposed relation to each other and being'adaptcd to simultaneously contact with each of the projections upon one of the telescoping members to cause movcna-nt of such member to compress'thc said spring and to simultaneously become disengaged therefrom to permit movement of the said telescoping members under the iullueiu'e of said spring, movable conta :t members, an actuator therefor. the said a :tuator comprising parts situated against ()1 near the said rotatable tubular member. i opposite ends being adapted to be alternately contacted with by the said projections as they are released from the cams upon the said tubular member to cause movement thereof in opposite directions to thereby cause opening and closing movements of tl e said contact members.

5. In an electric switch, the combination of telescopng members, each of the said members co uprising a couple of oppositely disposed but 5, said bars being provided with laterally extending projections or lugs, means for preventing rotation of said memhers, said members being movable. however, longitudinally, a tubular rotatable member embracing the said telescoping members and situated internmliate the two couples of projections, said \ubular member being provided with a couple of oppositely disposed cams upon each of its ends, said cams being adapted to contact v ith the said projections to cause relative n )vement of the said telescoping members toward each other, movable contact members, an actuator having connection with the said contact m mbers, said actuator comprising parts situated against or near the said rotatable tubular member, the projections constituting one of the said couples contacting with the ends of said parts upon one side of the said actuator dur ing the time that the projections constituting the other couple are riding up upon the 'Cflfi'iS of the said rotatable member with which they co-act and the said first mentioned projections being disengaged from the Said parts as the second named projec tions leave the said cams and pass on to the opposite ends ofthe said parts, and means for causing relative movement of said telescoping members away from each other upon disengagement of said cams from said projections, substantially as described.

6. In an electric switch, the combination of a casing, a barrel member situated therein, means for causing rotation thereof, a rotatable tubular cam actuating member sit Hated in said barrel, means for rigidly connecting the said cam actuating member with the said-barrel, movable contact members, an actuator for causing movement of the said contact members, said actuator being provided with parts having slidable connection with the said second named means, telescoping members extending through the said rotatable tubular cam actuating member, said telescoping members respectively being provided with couples of lugs or projections. the projections constituting one couple and those comstituting the other being situated upon opposite sides of the said tubular cam,

tor, the said projections of the respective couples being adapted to be alternately acted upon by and released from the cams of said cam actuating member, and means for causing relative movement of said telescoping members upon release of said projections from said cams, whereby alternate movements in opposite directions of the actuator for actuating the said contact members are effected. 1

7. In an electric switch, the combination of telescoping members, the said members each comprising oppositely disposed bars, said bars each being provided With outwardly extending projections or lugs, the said bar-sand projections being arranged in planes substantially at right angles to each other, a coiled spring interposed between the said telescoping members, said spring tending to hold the said members in separated relation with respect to each other and being normally uncompressed or untensioncd, a rotatable tubular cam member embracing the central portions of said telescoping members intermediate the said projections, said tubular member having opposits-1y disposed cams upon its opposite ends, said cams being adapted t alternately engage and disengage the said promotions to cause relative movement of said talescoping members to compress and relea'said Spring. a barrel-like member in which the Saidtelescoping members and the saio rotatable tubular member are situatcdnneans for connecting the said barrel-like member with the said tubular member, means for rotating the said barrel-like member and thereby causing rotation of the said rotatable tubular member, movable contact members, and

an actuator having connection with the said contact members for causing movement o,

the latter, said actuator including parts situated intermediate the said rotatable tubularntomber and the said barrel member and having slots through which the means for connecting the said barrel and the said rotatable tubular member extend Wl'lOIOlW the said actuator may have both a rotary and areciprocatory movement, the latter movement being caused ,by contact of the said projections alternately with opposite ends of the said parts.

8. In an electric switch, the combination of witch or contact members, contacts for co-acting with said men'il'iers. an actuator. connections between said actuator and said members, means for causing movement of said actuator alternately in opposite directions to move said contact members into'Eand out of contact with said contacts, and means whereby. previous to a movement of said contact members out of contact with said contacts the pressure of the said members against the said contacts is increased, such increase of pressure continuing until the moment of separation of said contact mem bers and contacts.

9. In an electric switch, the combination of switch or contact members, contacts for which are adapted to contact with the said projections and cause relative movement of t-he'sald telescoping members toward each other at Intervals, when the said cam actuating member is rotated to compress the said spring, compression of said spring, when the contact members are in contact with their contacts, increasing the pressure of the said contact members against the said contacts, and the expansion of said spring, when the said projections are released from the said cam surfaces, causing movement of the said actuator to effect opening or closing movement of the said contact members, substantially as described.

p 10. In an electric switch, the combination of switch or contact members, contacts for co-acting with said members, an actuator, connections between said actuator and said members, means for causing movement of said actuator alternately in opposite directions to move said contactmembers into and out of contact with said contacts, a spring for causing movement of said actuator, said spring extending transversely of and substantially at right angles to the plane of the said contact members, and means for compressing the said spring and for caus ing the pressure thereof to be exerted upon the said contact members until the latter suddenly move away from the said contacts. 11. In. an electric switch, the combination of switch or contact members, contacts for co-acting with said members, an actuator, connections between said actuator and said members, means for causing movement of said actuator alternately in opposite direc, tions to move said contact members into and out of contact with said contacts, a coiled spring extending transversely of and substantially at right angles to the plane of said contact members, a housing for said spring, said housing comprising relatively movable members, means for causing alternate move ment of the said housing members for compressing the said spring, and means for releasing the said housing members toperinit sudden expansion of said spring to effect movement of the said contact members.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereunto igned my name this 20th day of September, A. D;

1917. WILLIAM W. DRYDEN. 

